Getting into the integrated lifestyle swing of things

Financial services group Old Mutual recently launched “Old Mutual Success Stories,” a series of podcasts in which some of the country's finest interviewers talk to extraordinary South Africans about their life success stories. The initiative forms part of Old Mutual's desire to remain connected with its client base that has embraced a contemporary online social lifestyle.

Stephen Cahill, head of marketing at Old Mutual, says, “We chose podcasts because they are extremely convenient, personal and engaging. The podcasts are unscripted so they're more like casual chats between two people providing an opportunity for us to learn from those who have incredible stories to tell. As the conversations unfold, the concepts of the meaning of success emerge.”

The first podcast (www.oldmutual.co.za/success), which can be downloaded for free from the Old Mutual website, features five South Africans from a wide range of fields discussing life, love, music, soccer, jokes, the environment and politics:

Mail & Guardian editor Ferial Haffajee and local comedian, David Kau
Talk radio 702 breakfast show host John Robbie and controversial politician Van Zyl Slabbert
Presenter Patricia Glyn and environmentalist/athlete who ran the Great Wall of China, Braam Malherbe
Yfm DJ Paul (Rudeboy) Mnisi and soccer boss Dr Irvan (The Iron Duke) Khoza
Columnist and author Fred Khumalo and jazz musician Zim Ngqawana

Cahill says these podcasts are only the first step for Old Mutual. “This is part of an integrated lifestyle approach we have adopted to make Old Mutual relevant in the everyday lives of South Africans. So for example, you can download some of the interviews onto your iPod, then listen to them on your way home from work or while you exercise.

“We already have vodcasts planned for a number of Old Mutual sponsored events such as the Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts and the Two Oceans Marathon.”